The Haas 2CA, a Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) rocket named after Austrian-Romanian medieval rocket pioneer Conrad Haas (1509-1579), can launch 100 kg (220lbs) of payload to low earth orbit. The rocket has one stage that is fueled by hydrogen peroxide and kerosene. ARCA Space Corporation is in talks for a a Space Act Agreement with NASA Wallops Flight Facility, to launch the vehicle that in 2019 from Wallops Flight Facility. ARCA has also started the FAA licensing process in 2017. The SSTO launcher configuration, using the Executor Aerospike engine, is designed to deliver the following results:

Payload to LEO

100kg (220lbs)

Responsiveness

24h

Cost/launch

$1,000,000

Cost/kg (lb)

$10,000 ($4,545)

Cutting Edge Space Technology

The rocket has an exceptional mass ratio of 29, the highest ever achieved by an orbital vehicle. This is made possible using composite materials and dense propellants. The Executor, a linear aerospike engine, is the most advanced rocket engine currently under development for orbital launchers. Because of its ability to auto adapt to the altitude pressure drop, it promises optimum performance at virtually all flight levels, allowing the use of up to 30% less fuel than any other rocket engine. This engine aims to keep construction costs low, without sacrificing the high performance. The thrust vectoring control is achieved by throttling the 16 combustion chambers, changing the individual chamber mixture ratio. This eliminates the heavy and complex gimbaling system for the engine. The team also decided to build the whole vehicle from composite materials that offer low construction costs and very low weight.

Orbital Flight Redefined

When the Haas 2CA rocket launches, it will be the first rocket in history to place itself entirely into orbit. This opens new frontiers for exploration of the Solar System as the rocket can be refueled in-orbit and re-utilize its aerospike engine, thus eliminating the need for additional upper stages. This rocket is extremely simple and, therefore, affordable to construct and operate, and it can be launched on a weekly, even daily, basis. After the full qualification, the vehicle could be operated from inland spaceports as there are no stages that fall to the ground at burnout. It's intended to be the most responsive orbital launcher ever created, being able to reach orbit in less than 24 hours from the moment of launch decision. This rocket will also be the fastest vehicle to reach orbit, less than 5 minutes from the launch.

Program Development

The Haas 2C SSTO project started in 2012, financed by private companies, being equipped with a liquid oxygen and kerosene turbopump fed system and with a “classic” bell-shape nozzle. The team encountered problems with the very low throttling ability of the liquid oxygen and kerosene combination with the turbopump-fed engine. The team decided to incorporate new technologies, like the pressure-fed, multi-chamber, linear aerospike engine, and the use of the hydrogen peroxide and kerosene combination into the Haas 2CA SSTO. This allowed us to create an engine with a high throttleable range and an overall more cost-effective and efficient vehicle.